The—Ten Thousand Poison Body Pill
[Ten Thousand Poison Body Pill (4,500 SP): A high-grade pill that grants the consumer the Ten Thousand Poison Body Physique. This powerful poison physique not only heals and grants immunity to poisons, but also refines them. Any poison that enters the body is refined to strengthen both the physique and the poison itself, integrating it with all poisons previously consumed. These refined poisons may be utilized through the blood or released from the pores of the palms—though the effective range is limited. Additionally, the blood may be used as a universal antidote.]
Of all the options within his budget, this was the very best Qin Feng could find.
Not only would it cure his mother, it would refine the poison within her body—strengthening her and granting her a means of self-defense.
The price was steep—still manageable, but painful.
He bought it without hesitation.
His mother's health came first.
He planned to have her take a Restoration Pill beforehand to temporarily suppress the symptoms, before taking the Ten Thousand Poison Body Pill—for a less painful awakening process.
'Now I'm left with 5,500 SP.'
As that thought passed through his mind, his attention shifted to the other two people who made up his family—his younger sister and his wife.
Qin Yue,
His little sister—actually his maternal cousin—was a terrifyingly adorable genius.
Only thirteen years old, yet already acknowledged as a prodigy—arguably even more talented than Qin Feng himself.
At thirteen, Qin Yue was already a master in archery, swordsmanship, and horsemanship. At the rate she was going, she might reach the Divine level in those skills before even coming of age.
One might think that achieving Master-level is merely average.
But that's wrong.
To be considered a master meant possessing enough skill and understanding to establish a school and teach others your craft.
So, a thirteen-year-old master is actually an impossible feat—except for someone whose Innate Martial Physique awakened from a young age.
At one point, his father had summoned physicians and alchemists to examine her, suspecting that she had awakened the Innate Martial Physique.
... without an awakening.
The results?
She had no physique at all. She was simply that gifted.
Unlike Qin Feng, who had honed his abilities through relentless effort and hardship, that little devil was a natural-born monster.
...
As for his wife, Jiang Zhirou… the original Qin Feng's feelings toward her had been complicated.
From childhood, he had been engaged to her elder sister, Jiang Mingyue. He had devoted himself to her, even envisioning their future together. Their marriage had been scheduled for just a few months later.
Then everything changed.
His father died. He was summoned to war.
The marriage had to be rushed forward so it could be consummated—and so an heir might be conceived—before his departure.
Yet on the wedding night, the bride was switched.
Jiang Mingyue was replaced by Jiang Zhirou—the younger sister who had been confined to the countryside, branded a jinx.
In this era, those born with heterochromatic eyes were believed to bring misfortune.
The original Qin Feng had only learned of the switch the following morning, as he had been heavily drunk on the wedding night—his drink, probably spiked.
That was where the resentment came from.
On one hand, Jiang Zhirou explained that it was the Jiang family's decision. On the other, that very morning, the Jiang family arrived bearing gifts. Apologizing "on behalf of Jiang Zhirou" for "snatching" her sister's place.
Qin Feng scoffed internally.
"It was obvious," he muttered. "They didn't want to marry their beloved daughter into a falling house surrounded by wolves."
That said—marrying Jiang Zhirou instead of Jiang Mingyue was hardly a loss.
She embodied everything Qin Feng considered "perfect wife material." Responsible, gentle, never clashing with his mother, sister, or servants.
There was really nothing to criticize.
And then… there was her beauty.
Jiang Mingyue was hailed as one of the "Three Flowers of the Capital"—yet from Qin Feng's memories of that night and the morning after, Jiang Zhirou was even more stunning.
Those heterochromatic eyes—violet and indigo—were hypnotic, capable of stealing a man's soul. Paired with her figure, she was nothing short of a bewitching fox spirit made flesh.
The memory of her lying on the bed was far too stimulating.
Qin Feng forcibly dragged himself out of memory lane before things went… unspeakably wrong.
'Focus.'
...
Qin Feng returned his attention to the system shop.
For Qin Yue, I need to get her a combat-oriented physique pill—one that emphasizes speed and agility, not just strength.
As for Zhirou… I heard she taught herself medicine and herbology while living in the countryside. I should support that.
After thirty minutes of searching:
[Dire Wolf Queen Pill (100 SP): Awakens the Great Wolf Queen Physique, granting the physical abilities of a Dire Wolf Queen. Enhanced strength (surpassing a bear), speed, and agility.]
[Medicine Sage Classic (150 SP): Volume One of the Medicine Sage's teachings. Contains detailed knowledge of acupuncture, diagnosis, herbology, and medicinal concoction.]
He also spent an additional 100 SP on rare medicinal herb seeds.
'That should do... For now'
'Now, it's time to start building a shadow guard force worthy of the Qin estate.'
He purchased two Shadow Reapers and thirty Shadow Stalkers, spending 5,000 SP.
The remaining 150 SP went toward fifteen Marrow Cleansing Pills.
He summoned all of them—The Shadow Reapers and Stalkers, both the ones he had gotten from the check-in and those he just purchased.
They appeared instantly, kneeling before him—three Shadow Reapers in front, forty Shadow Stalkers arrayed behind.
"From this day forth," Qin Feng declared, "you are the Shadow Guards of the Qin family."
He divided them into three squads, appointing a Reaper as captain for each and naming each squad according to the name given to their captains.
— Shadow Squad: Remains with Qin Feng at the fortress. 10 Shadow Stalkers.
— Raven Squad: Returns to the capital. Responsible for protecting his family, conducting reconnaissance, and carrying out assassinations when necessary. Each family member would be assigned at least 2 stalkers, guarding them around the clock. 20 Shadow Stalkers.
— Ghost Squad: Returns to the capital alongside Raven Squad but remains completely unseen. Their duty was to patrol and defend the Duke's estate—even Qin Feng's family would be unaware of their existence. 10 Shadow Stalkers.
With everything settled, Qin Feng wrote letters to his mother, sister, and wife. He handed them—along with the pills, manuals, and seeds—to Raven.
With a bow, the Raven Squad departed.
The Ghost Squad followed silently.
Their destination—
The Duke of Qin's estate.
---
Hey, Author here.
Hope you're enjoying the story so far. Please leave a comment, drop power stones and add to collection.
Thank you.